Coupler attachment



Nov. 23, 1948. F. H. KAYLER COUPLER ATTACHMENT Filed Dec. 6, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

INVENTOR FRANK H. KAYLER lL I/ 'TORNEY 1948- F." H. KAYLER 2,454,514

COUPLER ATTACHMENT Filed Dec. 6, 1946 3 Sheet-Sheet 2 INVENTOR FR ANK H. KAYLER Nov. 23, 1948. F. H. KAYLER 2,454,514

COUPLER ATTACHMENT Filed Dec. e, 1946 FIG. II

, INVENTOR FRANK H. KAYLER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATT RNEY Patented Nov. 23, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,454,514 I coUrLan a'r'rncnamu'r Frank 1!. Xavier, inflame, Ohio, ascignor to American Steel Foundries, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 6, 1946, Serial No. 714,436

20 Claims. (Cl. 213-12) This invention rela es to 19 81! and more particularly to a novel improved coupler construction for railway cars having cushion type underframes.

A specific object of my invention is to devise a novel connection? between the coupler and the center sill of a railway car body underframe.

Another object of niyinvention is to provide such a connection between the coup1er. and the center sill as will permit lateral and vertical angling of the coupler relative to the center sill as well as reciprocal I movement relative thereto.

A further object oi my invention is to devise a combination striking casting and coupler support adaptable to be associated with a plurality of different types of couplers and incorporating upper and lower guides with vertical pin slots for reception of-a vertical pin for securing one type of coupler and also side guides with horizontal irey slots for reception of a horizontal key for securing another type of coupler.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will bcome apparent from a consideration of the following specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a top plan view, partly in section,

showing a tightlock coupler associated with a center sill of a cushion type car body underframe and also illustrating the coupler carrier and an embodiment of one form of myinvention, the section being taken in the horizontal plane indicated by line i-i of Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the assembly shown in Figm'e 1, the section being taken in the.

longitudinal vertical plane substantially as indicated by line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary verticalcross section of the assembly taken in the plane indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontal section of 2 stantiallyas indicated by line 9-9 of Figure 8, and Figure 10 being a sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line Ill-Ill of Figure 8.

Figures 11-13 are fragmentary views of an assembly similar to that shown in Figure 1 and embodying stillanother modification of my in vention, Figure 11 being a fragmentary view similar to that shown in Figure 2, Figure 12 being a sectional view thereof taken in the transverse vertical plane substantially as indicated by line l2-i2 of Fisurell, and Figure 13 being a fragmentary bottom view thereof taken substantially in the plane indicated by line i3-l3 of Figure 11.

Describing the invention in detail and referring first to Figures 1-7 inclusive, the invention is illustrated in connection with a vertically interlocked head type coupler as applied to a structure commonly known in the art as a cushion type car body underframe including a center sill 2 movable longitudinally relatlve to the car body underframe (not shown), said center sill being of channels-section and comprising the top wall 4 and the side walls 6 and 8 depending from said top wall at opposite sides thereof, said side walls merging with the outtumed horizontal flanges l0, lli'integrally' formed at the bottom edges thereof.

Encased in the center sill is a combination striking casting and coupler support i2 (Figure 2) having top and bottom webs I4 and it (Figure 2) and side webs l8 and 20 (Figure 1), said casting v being secured to said center sill in any conventhe assembly taken in the plane indicated by line 4-4 of Figure 2, the shown in buffed position.

Figures 5-! illustrate my novel sliding bushing, Figure 5 being a top plan view thereof, Figure 6 be ng a front end elevation thereof, and Figure 7 bein a side elevation thereof.

Figures 810 are fragmentary views of an assembly similar to that shown in Figure 1 and parts, however, being embodying another modification of my invention,

Figure 8 being a fragmentary top plan view thereof. the center sill. however, being shown in horizontal section, Figure ll being a sectional view thereof, the view being taken in the plane sublent manner as by rivets 22, 22. The coupler (i'ragmentarily shown),general1y eslgnated 24, has a shank 26 projecting into the casting l2, said shank 26 being supported by a carrier, generally designated 28, comprising a housing 30 being an integral part of said casting l2 and housing the springs 32 (Figure 2) supporting a carrier plate 34 engaging the shank 26 to afford a resilient support therefor, the shank being slidable on said plate during horizontal and lateral angling and reciprocal movement of the shank. r

The shank 28 adjacent the rear extremity thereof is provided with a pin opening 38 formed with the angularly arranged faces 31, 31 converging toward the rear extremity of said shank and providing a fulcrum for the pivot or coupler pin 38 extending through said opening 38, said opening 3 6 also receiving a pin bearing block 40 in complementary cylindrical face engagement as at 42 with the pin 38 and in arcuate face engagement as at 44 with the coupler shank,

plementary convex concave surfaces, said follower being supported by the transverse member 41 secured at opposite ends thereof as at 50, 50 to said flanges II), II), said follower being the forward portion of a draft appliance and is herein illustrated having a flat rear face abutting against the head of the rod 52 extending into the spring 54 in the housing 56 (Figure 2).

web I6 of the casting I2 adjacent the rear or inner end thereof.

The lower end of the pin 36 extends into the sliding bushing 62 substantially T-shaped in cross section (Figure 3). The to of the bushing bears as at 64 against the lower edge of the pin bearing block 60 and is provided with a fiat surface adapted for engagement with a convex surface 66 formed on the bottom of the inner extremity of the shank. The top of block 60 abuts the adjacent face of the upper guide as at 60 (Figure 2) and is slidable thereon during reciprocal movement of said coupler as hereinafter described, said last-mentioned face also abutting the convex surface 61 formed on the top side' of the inner extremity of said shank.

,1 The bushing 62 is received in the elongate opening or slot I open at the rear end thereof ,said slot 16 being provided in the lower coupler guide 12 formed on the inner face of the bottom web I6 of the casting I2 adjacent the inner end thereof, said opening 10 being vertically aligned with the heretofore described slot 58 in the upper guide 66. At opposite sides of the bushing 62 adjacent the top thereof are formed the integral outturned lips or flanges It, 16' (Figure 6) riding as at 16 (Figure 3) on the bearing ortions or ledges 18 of the guide I2, said ledges defining the opposite sides of the slot 10 and engaging the sides of said bushing. Depending from the bushing 62 at opposite sides thereof are the spaced legs or lugs 80, 80 merging with the arcuate front wall 82 on the bushing 62, said legs presenting the outturned shoulders 8|, BI extending transversely of said ledges 16, said shoulders with said flanges 1t, 1t and ledges 18 forming a dovetailed or tongue and groove interlock, as may well be seen in Figure 3.

A retainer key or locking pin 86 extends through aligned openings 86, B6 in the lugs 80, 60 (Figure 5) and passes under the adjacent end of the coupler pin 38 and abuts thereagainst as at 86 for supporting said pin 38 and holding the same in assembled relation with the other parts of the assembly, as previously described.

It will be noted that I have provided a slidable universal connection between the coupler and the center sill such as will permit vertical and lateral angling and also limit reciprocal movement of the coupler relative to said center sill.

It will be observed that when the coupler angles toward the extreme lateral position, one of the albutment faces 90, 90 (Figure 1) formed on the rear face of the shank isadapted to engage and fulcrum on the respective complementary surface of the follower 48, compressing the draft appliance, said appliance urging the said coupler to normal operating position, as will readily be understood by those skilled in the art. When the coupler angles downwardly, the carrier 28 is compressed; the pin 38 and the bearing block 40, however, remain in substantially vertical position, said carrier upon release of the forces angling the coupler downwardly, forcing the coupler upwardly into normal operating position. If the coupler is angled upwardly, the weight of the coupler itself will bring it down to normal operating position when the forces causing such angling are removed.

It may also be noted that the casting I2 has integrally formed on the adjacent faces of the side webs I8 and 20 the horizontally aligned side guides I02, I02 with horizontal slots I04, I04 therein aligned with the slots I06, I06 in the side walls 6 and 6 of the center sill in order to permit, for emergency repair, the application of a coupler (not shown) commonly known in the art as a rigid shank horizontal key coupler, said slots I06, I06 and I06, I06 being provided for reception of a cross key (not shown) for securing said shank.

Referring now to Figures 840 which illustrate an assembly embodying another modification of fo med on the bottom web my invention, it will be noted that in general the assembly is similar to that described with the exception that the top end of the pin I I0 (Figure 10) extends into a sliding bushing H2, said pin projecting through the opening II4 provided on the rear extremity of the shank I I6 and engaging the bearing block II8 seated in said opening H4 as at I20, said shank abutting the follower I22 bearing against the draft gear, generally designated I26.

The sliding bushing II2 has an opening I26 into which the said upper end of the pin III] extends, said bushing being received in an elongate slot I26 open at the rear end thereof and formed in the upper coupler guide I30, said guide being an integral part of the casting I32 which is substantially the same as that previously described.

The bushing II2 has substantially fiat parallel sides providing a large bearing area and each side of the bushing is provided with spaced horizontal top and bottom flanges I35 and I36 receiving therebetween the adjacent horizontal flange I36 on guide I30, the flanges I38 defining the opposite sides of said slot I28. The top flanges I36 serve to keep the bushing II2 from dropping out of the slot I20, while the bottom flanges I36 are adaptable to take upward thrusts from the coupler shank by abutting against the under side of the horizontal flanges I38.

Figures 11-13 illustrate an assembly similar to that described and embodying another modification of my invention. The pivot pin I extends through the pivot opening I52 in the rear end of the shank I6 3 and into the elongate upper slot I56 (similar to slot 58, Figure 1) in the upper coupler guide I55. The pin I50 has a lug or support member I5'i fixed thereto adjacent the lower end thereof, said support member extending radially of said pin and being horizontally disposed and supports as at I58 the pin bearing block I60 seated in said opening I52. The lower end of the pin I50 extends into the slot I62 provided in the lower coupler guide I64, said guides being an integral part of the striking casting I66, which is substantially the same as that previously described. The pin I50 rests on the plate I68, having the front end thereof projecting into the transverse channel or pocket I10 formed in the lug I12 depending from the bottom web I14 (Figure 12) of the casting I66 adjacent the front end of the slot I62. The rear end of the plate I68 rests on oneside of the substantially square securing pin I16, extending through aligned openings I16 in the depending lugs I integrally I14 of the casting I66 at opposite sides of the slot I82, said lugs I" merging with the intumed ends or end flanges I82 and forming therewith the rear corners the slot I62, said flanges I82 abutting the rear edge of the plate I68.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiments of the device shown which are merely by way of illustration and not limitation as various and other forms of the device will, of course, be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the, spirit of the invention orythe scope of -the'claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a car body underframe including a center sill. a hollow member encased within said center sill and comprising a striking casting and coupler support, a coupler shank projecting into said member, spaced guides in said member embracing the inner end of said shank therebetween, arcuate surfaces on said inner end of said shank engaging said. guides, and slidable universal coupling means securing said shank to said member and permitting angling of said shank in both vertical and horizontal directions, and allowing said shank to reciprocate within said member, said means comprising a vertically disposed pivot pin extending through an opening in said shank and having the opposite ends thereof received within vertically aligned slots in said guides, said slots being elongated in thedirection of the length 7 of said shank and permitting said pin to slide therein upon reciprocal movement of said shank in a direction inwardly and outwardly of said member, yieldable means abutting the inner end of said shank and limiting the inward movement thereof, a bushing sleeved over at least one end of said pin and received in the associated slot and slidable with said pin therein, and securing means extending through said bushing and seated against the adjacent end of said pin.

2. In a car coupler mounting, a car having a cushion type underframe including a center sill having a top wall and depending side walls at opposite sides of said top 'wall, flanges on said side walls extending laterally therefrom, a member comprising combined striking casting and coupler support including an upper striking portion, side portion-s depending at opposite sides of said upper portion, means securing said portions to said walls, a lower portion beneath said upper portion and connecting the lower ends of said side portions and defining therewith an opening, coupler guides integrally formed on the adjacent faces of said upper and lower portions, a couplenhavinga shank extending into said opening between said guides, slidable universal coupling means securing said shank to said combined striking casting and coupler support, 'said means including a pin extending through said shank and at opposite ends thereof projecting into slots formed in said guides, a bushing on at least one end of said pin and engagingnthe opposite sides of the associated'slot, tongue and groove means on said bushing and the associated guide for maintaining said bushing within the slot therein, and means for supporting said pin.

3. In a device of the class described, a. car body underframe including a center sill, a hollow member encased within said center'sill and comprising a striking casting and coupler support, a coupler shank projecting into said a member, spaced guides in said, member embracing the inner end of said shank therebetween. arcuate agus comprising a vertically disposed pivot pin extending through an opening in said shank and having the opposite ends thereof received within vertically aligned slots in said guides, said slots being elongated in the direction of the length of said shank and permitting said-pin to slide therein upon reciprocal movement of said shank in a direction inwardly and outwardly of said member, yieldable means abutting the inner end of said shank and limiting the inward movement thereof, and bushings sleeved over the ends of said pin and received in said slots and'slidable therein with said pin.

4. In a device of the class described,'a car body underirame including a center 5111, a hollow member encased within said center sill and comprising a combination striking casting and coupler support, a coupler shank projecting into said member, spaced guides in said member embracing the inner end of said shank therebetween, arcuate surfaces on said inner end of said shank engaging said guides, and slidable universal coupling means securing said shank to said member and permitting angling of said shank in both vertical and horizontal directions and allowing said shank to reciprocate within said member, said means comprising a vertically disposed pivot pin extending through an opening fin .said shank and having the opposite ends thereof received within vertically aligned slotsiin said guides, said slots being elongated in the direction oi the length of said shank and permitting said pin to slide therein upon reciprocal movement of said shank in a direction inwardly and outwardly of said member, and yieldable means abutting the inner end of said shank and limiting the inward movement thereof.

5. In a coupler arrangement, a vehicle having a cushion type underframe with a center sill, a hollow member mounted in said center sill and including upper and lower coupler guides therewithin, a coupler having a shank extending into said member-between said guides, a pin extending through an opening in said shank and having its opposite ends projecting into elongate slots provided in said guides, a pin bearing block I in said opening interposed between one side of said pin and the rear of said opening and projecting above and below said opening and seated at the top thereof against said upper guide, a member secured to said pin affording a seat for the bottom of said block, supporting means for said pin, said supporting means including a supporting plate disposed against the lower end of said pin, a lug depending from said first-mentioned member and positioned adjacent the front end of said slot in said lower coupler guide, a transverse pocket in said lug receiving the front end of said plate, and means securing said plate to said first-mentioned member.

6. In a coupler arrangement, a car body having a cushion type underframe including a center sill, a hollow member mounted in said center sill and comprising a depending guide and an opposed upstanding guide therewithin, vertically aligned slots in said guides, a coupler having a shank extending into said member between said guides, a slidable universal connection. between said member and shank and comprising a substantially vertical pin extending through a substantially vertical opening in said shank, said pin having its upper end projecting into said slot in said first-mentioned guide, a bushing sleeved over the lower end of said pin and positioned in said slot in said second-mentioned guide, slidable interlocking means on said bushing and said second-mentioned guide, said means including laterally extending flanges integrally formed on the sides of said bushing and seated on the top surfaces of the portions of said second-mentioned guide defining the opposite sides of the slot therein, and lugs depending from said bushing at opposite sides thereof and having shoulders extending laterally beneath the respective of said portions.

7. In a coupler arrangement, a car body having a cushion type underframe including a center sill, a hollow member mounted in said center sill and comprising a depending guide and an opposed upstanding guide therewithin each having a slot in vertical alignment with each'other, a coupler having a shank extending into said member between said guides, a slidable universal connection between said member and shank and comprising a substantially vertical pin extending through a vertical opening in said shank, said pin having its upper end projecting into said slot in said first mentioned guide, a bushing sleeved over the lower end of said pin and positioned in said slot in said second-mentioned guide, and a tongue and groove interlock between said bushing and the portions of said second-mentioned guide defining the opposite sides of the slot therein, spaced depending lugs on said bushing, and a retaining key extending through said lugs and under said pin an affording support therefor. 1

8. In a coupler mounting, a car body having a cushion type underframe including a hollow center sill, a member comprising a striking casting and coupler support mounted in said center sill, a coupler having a shank extending into said member, an arrangement affording a slidable pivotal connection between said shank and member for permitting lateral angling and reciprocal movement of said coupler relative to said center sill and comprising a pivot pin extending through a substantially -vertical opening in said shank, said pin at opposite ends thereof projecting into elongate slots in said member, said arrangement including an assembly permitting vertical angling of said coupler relative to said center sill and comprising a pin bearing block in said opening in complementary spherical face engagement atthe rear extremity thereof with said shank and in complementary cylindrical engagement at the front thereof with said pin, and a substantially horizontalfulcrum in said opening intermediate the ends thereof providing a fulcrum for said shank against the'adjacent side of said pin upon vertical angling of said coupler.

9. In a car coupler mounting, a combined striker casting and car coupler support adaptable to support a plurality of different types of couplers and comprising an upper striking portion and side portions depending at opposite sides of said upper portion, said portions being adapted to be secured toa center sill of a cushion type underframe of a car, a spring support portion beneath said upper portion connecting the lower ends of said side portions and comprising a housing, resilient means in said housing, and a vertically movable carrier member extending within said housing and seated on said resilient means and adaptable to support a coupler shank extending into said casting, said side portions having guides with horizontal key slots therein for reception of securing means for securing one type of coupler, said upper and spring support portions having coupler guides with vertical slots for reception of different securing means for securing another type of coupler.

10. In a coupler arrangement, a car body having a center sill movable longitudinally relative thereto, a hollow member mounted in said center sill and having top and bottom webs, opposed coupler guides integrallyformed on the adjacent faces ,of said webs, elongate slots in said guides, bushings in said slots each being slidable within the associated slot and interlocked with the associated guide, a coupler having a shank extendin between said guides, a slidable universal connection between said shank and member for permitting lateral and vertical angling and reciprocal movement of said coupler relative to said center sill, said connection including a pin extending, through an opening in said shank and having the oposite ends thereof projecting into said bushings, and means associated with one of said bushings and said pin for maintaining thelatter in assembled relation with said bushings and shank.

11. In a coupler mounting, a coupler shank, an element in spherical face engagement with the rear end of said shank and associated with draft means, a member encasing said shank and in abutment with said element, a car body carrying said member, a substantially vertical pin extending through an opening in said shank and projecting at opposite ends thereof into vertically aligned slots in said member and operatively connected thereto in the slots therein and slidable in said slots and affording a slidable pivotal connection between said shank and member, a pin bearing block in said opening and in cylindrical face engagement and spherical face engagement at opposite ends thereof with said pin and shank respectively, and permitting vertical angling of said shank relative to said member, and spaced means at opposite sides of said shank adapted for engagement with said element during extreme horizontal angling of said shank.

12. In a coupler arrangement, a car body having a cushion type underframe including a center sill, a hollow member mounted in said center sill and comprising a depending guide and an opposed upstanding guide therewithin each having a slot in vertical alignment with each other, a coupler having a shank extending into said member between said guides, a slidable universal connection between said member and shank and comprising a substantially vertical pin extending through a vertical opening in said shank, said pin having its upper end projecting into said slot in said first-mentioned guide, a bushing sleeved over the lower end of said pin and positioned in said slot in said second-mentioned guide, and slidable interlocking means on said bushing and said secondmentioned guide.

13. In a coupler. arrangement, a car body having a cushion type underframe including a center sill, a hollow member mounted in said center sill and comprising a depending guide and an opposed upstanding guide therewithin each having a slot in vertical alignment with each other, a coupler having a shank extending into said member between said guides, a slidable universal connection between said member and shank and comprising a substantially vertical pin extending through a vertical opening in said shank, said pin having one end projecting into one of said slots,- a bushing sleeved over the other end of said pin and positioned in the other of said slots, slidable interlocking means on said bushing and the associated guide, and means for supporting said pin.

14. In a coupler mounting, a car, body having a center sill, a member mounted in said center sill and comprising top and bottom webs and a spaced side webs extending between and connecting said top and bottom webs and defining therewith an opening, .coupler guidesformed on the adjacent faces of said top and bottom webs and projecting into said opening,. vertically aligned elongate sfits in said guides, a coupler having a shank extending into said opening between said guides, and a slidable universal connection between said member and shank, said connection including .a pivot pin extending through an opening in said shank and having its ends projecting into said slots and retaining means for holding said pin in assembled rela-v tion with said guides and shank. v

15. In a coupler mounting, a car body having an underframe with a center sill movable relative thereto, a box-section member connected to said center sill and comprising top and bottom webs and spaced side webs extending therebetween, coupler guides integrally formed on adjacent faces of said top and bottom webs and disposed adjacent the rear-extremity of said member, elongate slots ,in said guides, a coupler having a shank projecting into said member between said guides and having arcuate faces for engagement with said guides, and a slidable universal connection between said shank and member, said connection including a pin extending through an opening in-said shank and into said slots at opposite ends thereof, and securing means jecting above and below said opening and seated at the top thereof against said upper guide, a member secured to said pin affording a seat for the bottom of said block, and supporting means for said pin.

17. A device for connecting a coupler to an associated vehicle body comprising a hollow member carried by the body and comprising top and bottom walls, opposed pin slots in said walls, a bushing in one of said slots having tongue and groove engagement with the associated wall, a pin extending through said bushing and the other slot, means on said bushing supporting said pin, and a coupler shank pivotally connected to said pin, said slots being elongated to accommodate movement of said pin andbushing under bumng forces applied to said shank.

18. In a coupler mounting, a car body having an underframe including a hollow center sill, a member comprising a combination striking casting and coupler support mounted in said center sill, a coupler having a shank extending into said for maintaining saidpin in said opening and slots.

16, In a coupler arrangement, a vehicle having a cushion type underframe with a center sill, a hollow member mounted in said center sill and including upper and lower coupler guides therewithin, a coupler having a shank extending'into said member between said guides, a pin extending through an opening in .said shank and having its opposite ends projecting into elongate slots provided in said guides, a pin bearing block 7 in said opening interposed between one side of member, a pin extending through an opening in said shank and having its ends operatively associated with slots in said member and providing a slidable pivotal connection between said member and shank, said connection permitting substantially horizontal reciprocal movement of said coupler relative to said center sill.

19. In a coupler mounting, a car body having anunderframe including a hollow center sill, a member comprising a combination striking casting and coupler support mounted in said center sill, a coupler having a shank extending into said member, and a slidable universal connection between said shank and said member permitting lateral and vertical angling of said coupler and reciprocal movement of said coupler longitudinally with respect to said member.

20. In a device of the class described, a sliding coupler pin bushing having channel guideways at opposite sides thereof, a relatively flat top surface, a vertical pin opening adaptable to receive a coupler pin therethrough, and depending lugs at opposite sides of said bushing-with No references cited. 

